Mutual Productivity Spillovers in Slovakia: Absorptive Capacity, the Technology Gap, and Nonlinear Effects

Abstract

This article analyzes traditional productivity spillovers from foreign to local firms and reverse productivity spillovers from local to foreign firms. It argues that the extent of mutual productivity spillovers depends on absorptive capacity and the technology gap. The authors’ hypotheses were tested with panel data on Slovak firms for the period 2003–12. Traditional productivity spillovers through output were found to be positive, but the spillover effects through capital were mostly negative. The effect of the technology gap on productivity spillovers was conducive. Nonlinear effects were found in services and high-tech industries. Reverse productivity spillovers through capital were positive in the manufacturing industries.